Composition Terms
word choice
What is diction?
an oversimplification that reduces alternatives to only two choices, creating a false dilemma
What is Either/Or Thinking?
writing meant to change a reader's thinking or actions
What is persuasion?
arguing that the origins of a person, object, or history determines its worth
What is the Genetic Fallacy?
placing two ideas side by side
What is juxtaposition?
controlling statement in an essay
What is a thesis?
an emotional appeal to belong to a group and follow others rather than a direct discussion of the real issue and its merits
What is the Bandwagon Appeal?
writing that explains
What is expository writing?
an endorsement from a popular or respected person who lacks the expertise or authority in the area under discussion
What is the Testimonial Fallacy?
literary theft; using sources without giving credit
What is plagiarism?
writing order and relationship of words in a sentence
What is syntax?
setting up an artificially easy argument to refute in place of the real issue
What is the Straw Man Fallacy?
writing that explains, describes, and clarifies a complex idea
What is a Definition Essay?
avoiding countering an opposing argument directly by introducing a non-issue to the argument
What is the Red Herring?
reasoning from the general to the specific
What is deductive reasoning?
a word or words that help tie ideas together
What is a transition?
a sentence or argument that restates rather than proves
What is the Circular Argument?
defending a position against a significant objection
What is a counterargument?
an attack on the character of the individual rather than on his or her actual arguments or qualifications
What is Ad Hominem?
reasoning from specifics to generalizations
What is inductive reasoning?
logical arrangement of ideas
What is coherence?
confidently and repeatedly stating a falsehood until it is accepted as a fact
What is Gaslighting?
writing that breaks down a topic into its most meaningful parts to explain how it fits into a larger grouping
What is a Classification Essay?
If it happens, then it is just a matter of time until B, C, and D will happen.
What is the Slippery Slope?
impersonal delivery of information (using third person)
What is being objective?